News
Rome churches shut to 'Angels and Demons' filming
The Italian Catholic Church has refused to let a new movie based on a Dan Brown novel be filmed in churches in Rome after the author's "The Da Vinci Code" novel and its movie adaptation outraged the Vatican.
Xinjiang braces ahead of torch relay
China locked down the far-western city of Kashgar on Tuesday in preparation for the passage of the Olympic torch relay through the sensitive region populated by ethnic Muslim Uighurs.
France plans smaller and hard-hitting army
France aims to create a smaller, more mobile and better equipped army, able to respond to threats ranging from terrorism to cyber attacks, under plans to be formally presented by President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday.
Japan navy plans first visit to China since WW2
A Japanese warship is set to arrive in China next week in the first such visit since World War Two, Japan's Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Monday.
Al Gore backs Obama for White House
Former Vice President Al Gore pledged on Monday to do all he could to help Barack Obama win the White House, saying it was crucial the United States has not only a new leader but a new vision for its future.
Petrol prices blow to Australia PM's popularity
High fuel prices have given Australia's Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd his biggest setback since winning office, a poll showed on Monday.
Southern Baptist head: Love the homosexual, hate our sin
Christians often say "love the sinner, hate the sin" when expressing their stance on homosexuality. But the new leader of the Southern Baptist Convention wants to offer something different.
Inflation jump to trigger Bank explanation
Inflation is expected to have risen further above target in May and prompt the Bank of England to explain why for only the second time since it was made independent in 1997.
Brazilian president's pro-gay remarks draw criticism
Brazil's president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, drew criticism from pro-family groups this past week after he said those opposed to homosexuality were intolerant and suffered from radical mental diseases.
Bush wins backing over Iran sanctions
U.S. President George W. Bush won Europe's backing on Monday for tighter sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme and secured a British pledge to send more troops to Afghanistan.
French truckers block roads in protest
Truckers blocked roads across France on Monday in their latest protest against high fuel costs and called on the government to help their struggling industry.
Britain to boost Afghan force to 8,030
Britain will increase its force in Afghanistan by 230, taking the total number of British troops there to 8,030, Defence Secretary Des Browne told parliament on Monday.
Quarter of NHS trusts failing hygiene tests
More than a quarter of NHS trusts in England are at risk of losing their licence to treat patients because of a failure to comply with hygiene regulations, the government's health watchdog said on Monday.
Church investigates gay clergy blessing
The Church of England has launched an investigation after vows and rings were exchanged between two homosexual clergymen in one of London's oldest churches.
Cosmetic surgery booming despite economy
Britons might be feeling the pinch of the global credit crunch, but they're still ready to pay thousands of pounds for cosmetic surgery, a report suggested on Monday.
Mugabe threatens to arrest Tsvangirai
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe threatened on Monday to arrest opposition Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai for provoking violence ahead of a June 27 presidential election run-off.
